Tait
Tait was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1974, when it ranked 1466th; the most babies were born in 2007 (44). More babies were named Tait in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Tate) Origin uncertain · Old English, Old Norse
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 200744 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,223babies recorded
What does the name Tait mean?
Tait is a spelling of Tate, pronounced the same way, so it shares Tate's meaning and origin.
Tate is an English surname from a medieval personal name, Wiktionary explains, partly from Old English Tata, linked with a Germanic word meaning 'cheerful, glad', and partly from the Old Norse name Táta, of unknown meaning. As a given name it is a transferred surname, and Wikipedia describes it as gender-neutral. Tait is a Scottish spelling, and Wiktionary calls Tait a doublet of Tate. Tatum is a separate name.
Tāta (Old English, “personal name”)*taitaz (Proto-Germanic, “cheerful, glad (proposed)”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Two medieval sources; the 'cheerful' sense is a reconstruction.
Related names: Tait, Tayte.
See also: English names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Tate', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Wikipedia, 'Tate (given name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
Tait popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 16 since 1996.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #8,648 | 9 |
| 2010 | #3,440 | 32 |
| 2000 | #2,797 | 33 |
| 1990 | #3,444 | 18 |
| 1980 | #2,815 | 17 |
| 1970 | #2,050 | 20 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Tait, counting every spelling?
Tait is a spelling of Tate, a name family that ranked #209 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 1,862 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tate | 1,862 | #194 | 7,997 |
| Tait | — | — | 35 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Tait?
About 1,200 people born in the US named Tait are alive today, with a median age of 28; half are between 18 and 44. That makes Tait mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Tait: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Tait, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Tait
What does Tait mean?
The origin of Tate is uncertain: two medieval sources; the 'cheerful' sense is a reconstruction.
How popular is the name Tait?
Tait was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1974, when it ranked 1466th; the most babies were born in 2007 (44). More babies were named Tait in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Is Tait a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Tait in the US.